Did Jesus Declare All Foods Clean?

Jesus Declares That Food Does Not Defile

In Mark 7, Jesus said, Are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart, but his stomach, and is expelled?

Thus he declared all foods clean. Now what's with the parentheses? Cynics will say that modern translators have added this portion. The NIV, ESV, NASB, they all say thus he declared all foods clean. But that's not in the King James, therefore it's a translation edition.

It isn't in the original text. Actually, yes it is. All of the earliest Greek manuscripts say this. If you look in the New American Standard, you might notice the words thus he are italicized. That's because a direct Greek to English translation would not include these words, but they are implied.

So to make sense in English, the words thus he are required in order to clarify the text. Jesus' quote ends here, and then Mark, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, says that Jesus declared all foods clean.

The Manuscript Evidence and Translation Issue

Origin in the 3rd century and Chrysostom in the 4th century understood this passage the same way. It is not a recent translator's invention. Just look at the context. Jesus said, whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him.

Sinful Heart and Christ's Cleansing

Even if you ignore the parentheses, the message is still clear. Nothing that goes into a person makes them unholy. Not steak or fish, not pork or shellfish, not even a Twinkie or a Lego. What makes you unclean is your sinful heart.

And only Christ can purify you. Ask forgiveness for your sins, and He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness when we understand the text.